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CQESRICra DEPOSIT. 



TWO PATRIOTIC PAGEANTS 



Two 

Patriotic Pageants 

Columbus — A Dramatic Festival 
Three Centuries of American Democ- 
racy — A Patriotic Festival. 

Planned and Written by Classes in the Eng- 
lish and History Departments of the 
New Jersey State Normal School^ 
in Trenton 

NOTE 

The professional rights in these entertainments are strictly 
reserved and application for the right to produce them should 
be made to the author in care of the publishers. Amateurs may 
produce them without payment of royalty on condition that 
the name of the author appears on all programmes and adver- 
tising issued in connection with such performances. 




boston 
WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
1921 




CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Columbus — A Dramatic Festival . • . . 7 

Three Centuries of American Democracy—A 
Patriotic Festival 55 




Copyright, 1920, by The New Jersey State 
Normal School, at Trenton. 
As author and proprietor 

Alt rights reserved 



DEC 24 IS2G 
g)C!,A605106 



Introductory 

The two pageants contained in this book are the 
work of classes in the New Jersey State Normal 
School at Trenton. In their preparation the 
school festival idea predominated. This means 
two things — first, that the work was made sub- 
jective as far as possible, so that the emphasis was 
on the preparation rather than on the final per- 
formance ; and second, that the various departments 
of the school cooperated in making contributions to 
the work. For instance, when the Columbus cele- 
bration was planned the classes in history studied 
that period, looked up sources, and then submitted 
their findings to the English classes, where the plot 
was constructed and the words were written. 
Meanwhile the music department was training the 
school for the appropriate songs, the classes in 
domestic arts were planning and making the cos- 
tumes, art classes were drawing posters, in the 
manual training rooms stage properties were being 
made, and in the gymnasium dances were devised 
and rehearsed. The reading and speaking depart- 
ment coordinated the work and directed the produc- 

[5] 



COLUMBUS 

tion. Thus the development of the pageant was an 
example of what Mr. Percival Chubb calls " co- 
operative pedagogy/' and created a festival spirit 
in the entire school. 

Effie Georgine Kuhn, 
Director of Festivals. 

Trenton, New Jersey, 
September i6, 1920. 



[6] 



COLUMBUS 
A Dramatic Festival 



Columbus 



Persons in the Festival 

(In the order of their appearance) 

ToscANELLi, an Italian Astronomer, 
Christopher Columbup, 
Diego, his Son. 
Gold 1 

S^LK^ f Motives of Columbus. 
Religion J 
Superstition ] 

Prejudice v Spirits of the Ag^. 
Ignorance ) 
First Councilor. 
Second Councilor. 
Court Buffoon. 
Third Councilor. 
Fourth Councilor. 
Luis de Santangel 
Talavera 
Two Pages. 

Ferdinand, King of Spain. 
Isabella, Queen of Spain, 
Beatrix Bobadilla. 
Cardinal Mendoza. 

[9] 



j Financiers. 



COLUMBUS 

Two OTHER Councilors. 
Four Ladies in Waiting. 
Two Moorish Attendants. 
Doubts and Fears, tormentors of the voyagers. 
(About thirty eight-year-old children, half of 
them Doubts; half, Fears.) 
Six Companions of Columbus. 
Four Savages. 
Death. 

(In the Vision.) 
Esquimaux. 
Indian. 
Pioneer. 
Farmer. 

Cowboy of the Wesi. 

Negro of the cotton-fields. 

New England Fisherman. 

Miner. 

Puritan. 

Dutch Patroon. 

French Huguenot. 

Jesuit Priest. 

Chinaman. 

Japanese. 

Italian Peasant. 

Russian Jew. 

Spanish-Mexican. 

Liberty. 



Scenes in the Festival 



Scene I 
Columbus, the Dreamer. 

Interlude 

The Spirit of the Age — Prejudice, Ignorance, 
Superstition. 



Scene II 
At the Court of Spain. 

Interlude 
The Voyage — Doubts and Fears. 

Scene III 
The Landing. 

Scene IV 
The Passing of Columbus. 



Description of Costumes Worn in 
Columbus" 



ToscANELLi. — Dark brown cloak and hood. 

Christopher Columbus. — Scene I. Blue bloom- 
ers, blue and black plaid cloak, tarn with quills. 
Scenes II and III. Maroon bloomers, with 
gold stripes, vest to match, maroon cape with 
fur collar, tam with gold plume. Scene IV. 
Gray and brown rags and tatters. 

Diego. — Scene I. Dark bloomers and blouse and 
tam. Scene IV. Red (dark) bloomers, cape 
and tam. 

Gold. — Gold paper cut in open work design covered 
with drapery of tulle. 

Jew^el. — Yellow tulle skirt, coral satin bodice, loops 
and strings of coral beads and jewels. 

Silk. — Drapery of pastel chiffons and tulle. 

Religion. — Black cloak and hood covering a simple 
white draped costume. 

Superstition. — Dark gray-green robe and hood. 

Prejudice. — Black robe, tall stiff pointed black 
fool's cap. 

Ignorance. — Yellow green robe and hood streaked 
with brown. 

[ 12] 



COLUMBUS 

Ferdinand. — White satin bloomers and tunic with 
gold bands, purple cape, crown. 

Isabella. — White brocade, strings of pearls, crown. 

First Councilor ) Gowns plaited to yokes o£ 
Second Councilor j dull dark colors, tarn. 

Court Buffoon. — Cerise stockings, blue trunks, 
cerise and gold striped doublet, points finished 
with bells. Cap to match. 

Third Councilor ) Gowns plaited to yokes of 
Fourth Councilor ) dull dark colors, tam. 

Luis de Santangel. — Bloomers, dark brown cloak 
with tan facings. Close cap. 

Talavera. — Tam and quills. Navy tunic, bloomers. 

Beatrix Bobadilla. — Pale blue, gold and lace. 

Cardinal Mendoza. — Bright red gown and skull 
cap. Ermine cape. 

Other Councilors. — See above. 

Ladies IN Waiting. — i. Lavender gown with bands 

of purple. 

2. Black lace over cerise and 

medium green. 

3. Cerise and tan trimmed 

with lace and jewels. 

4. Pale green, silver and lace. 

Moorish Attendants. — Ashes of roses and gray 
green Turkish trousers, turbans, Mohammedan 
veils, sandals. 

Pages. — Bobbed hair, terra cotta tunics and 
bloomers. 

[13] 



COLUMBUS 

Doubts and Fears. — Girls — gray, brown, and black 
capes and hoods. Boys — gray, brown, and 
black trousers and jackets. Costumes deco- 
rated with Delft blue and dull orange gnomes, 
cats, etc. Faces of children covered with black 
mosquito netting. 

Companions of Columbus. — Bloomers and tunics 
of dark browns and greens. 

Savages. — Skins. 

Death. — Black hood and drapery. 

Esquimaux. — Jacket, leggings and cap of white 
fur. 

Indian. — Brown underdress, beads, feathers. 

Pioneer. — Coon skin cap, hunting coat, high boots. 

Farmer. — Straw hat and overalls. 

Cowboy. — Sombrero, chapps, rough shirt, bandana 
handkerchief. 

Negro. — Old trousers, pink shirt, basket of cotton. 

New England Fisherman. — Oilskins, sou'wester, 

fish basket. 

Miner. — Overalls streaked with black, miner's hat 
and lamp. 

Puritan. — Gray dress, and bonnet, white kerchief, 
cuffs and bonnet facing. 

Dutch Patroon. — Broad black hat, long, full blue 
bloomers, red waistcoat, black coat. 

French Huguenot. — Pale green dress with full 
sleeves, black bodice. 

[ H] 



COLUMBUS 



Jesuit Priest. — Black cassock, turned up black felt 
hat. 

Italian Peasant. — Bright rose skirt, white waist, 
black bodice, Italian straw bonnet. 

Spanish-Mexican. — Yellow skirt, white waist, 
black velvet bolero, red handkerchief, covering 
the head and knotted on the left side. 

Russian Jew. — Black whiskers, skull cap, long 
black cloak. 

Chinaman. — Old blue trousers and coat, blue skull 
cap, queue, black Chinese slippers. 

Japanese. — Pink kimono, pink chrysanthemums. 

Liberty. — White drapery. Gold Liberty crown. 
Hold torch. 



lis] 



Suggestions for Staging 



The staging can be done very simply. The fol- 
lowing plan has been used : 

Gray curtains hung in soft folds across the entire 
back of the stage, so arranged that they will part in 
the center and draw to either side revealing a shal- 
low inner stage. 

For Scene I — Two chairs, one table with charts, 
books, globe, compass, ink-pot, quill pen, 
paper, etc. 

For Interlude I — Stage clear — low green lights. 

For Scene II — Raised dais with two throne chairs. 

For Interlude II — Outer stage clear and dark, cur- 
tains parted showing inner stage, with blue 
back drop; prow of ship with sails silhouetted 
against back drop; blue light slightly dimmed 
on inner stage. 

For Scene III — Curtains parted, pines and shrubs 
for background against blue back drop, bright 
yellow light on outer and inner stage. 

For Scene IV — Gray curtains drawn together, cot, 
lights very low. When the Vision appears the 
curtains part and the characters walk slowly 
from left to right, lights on outer stage dim, 
light on inner stage brighter. 

[If] 



Columbus 



SCENE I 



Columbus at home, A room in a tavern. Tos- 
canelli and Columbus studying chart; Diego 
playing wih globe, 

Toscanelli. 

Great and noble, indeed, Columbus, is your desire 
to sail to the west. I have made this chart in the 
hope that it may help you to find your way to the 
land where the spices grow. 

Columbus. 

Toscanelli, you have helped me. Your learning 
supports my belief that by sailing west we may 
reach the much-desired East. 

Toscanelli. 

The course will be shown more clearly on this 
sphere. 

Reaches for globe, which Diego has re- 
moved and is now twirling on the floor. 

[17] 



COLUMBUS 



Columbus, 

To Diego. 

Will you, too, Diego, believe with your father 
that the earth is round ? 

Diego, 

Ay, father, Til throw down the boys who laugh 
at you. 

Columbus, 

To Toscanelli. 
Good friend of mine, that you, so versed in 
science, hold my convictions, removes the sting 
from the ridicule I have borne. Why, the very chil- 
dren in the street mock and jeer at me. 

Diego. 

Yes, father, they follow you and point — so ! 

Touching forehead and pointing to an 
imaginary Columbus; taking pencil and 
paper to draw a map he sprawls upon 
the floor, 

Toscanelli. 

Such must be the way of one who departs from 
the old paths. But persist in your efforts. When 
that voyage shall be accomplished it will lead you 
to China with her marvelous Celestial City, to the 
spice islands, where grow the pepper, spikenard and 

[18] 



COLUMBUS 



clove, best o£ all, to India, the land of the rising 
sun. The mere mention of that name calls up 
glowing visions of lustrous silks, fiery rubies, the 
sheen of pearls and gold, for which men sell their 
souls. 

Columbus, 

Yes, and which will buy the souls of men. It is 
the dream of my life to restore the city of our 
blessed Lord to Christendom. Your words, Tos- 
caneUi, fire me anew. 

Diego, 

Me, too, father ! 

Rising from floor and pressing against 
Columbus. 

Columbus, 
Throwing his arm lightly upon the boy. 
Often, as I sit alone, the untold wealth of India 
springs from these walls, dazzling me with its 
splendor, pressing me on to win the support of their 
most serene Highnesses. 

Toscanelli. 

Rising to go. 
My good wishes go with you, Columbus ; fare- 
well. 

[19] 



COLUMBUS 



Columbus, 

Farewell; and you, Diego, accompany him. 

(Toscanelli and Diego go out. Columbus resumes 
his occupation with maps and charts, but gradually 
falls into reveries. Gold, Jewel, Silk, and Religion 
steal ^ upon the stage from the rear, where they have 
been concealed. Columbus sees Gold first and 
reaches out to her. After a moment of bewilder- 
ment,) What are you, gleaming shape? 

Gold, 

Thy dream of gold come true ! 

Columbus. 

Reaching out. 
Ha ! let me touch you ; show me the way to your 
abode. (Gold shrinks back and beckons, as Jewel 
moves forward. Columbus staggers slightly, clasps 
his hands to his eyes, as if dazzled by the vision, 
then says in awed tones.) Are you a vision of my 
brain, or have you stepped, in truth, from India's 
clime ? 

Jewel. 

I am Jewel. Of me the walls and floors of 
Heaven are made. 

^ Soft music plays as they dance. See description of 
dance on pages 46-53. 

[20] 



COLUMBUS 



Columbtts. 

You are the desire of earth as well, lead and I 
follow. 

Jewel gives way to Silk, who addresses 
Columbus without waiting for him to 
speak. 

Silk. 

I am raiment for kings and queens, 
Silk of softness and shadowy sheens. 

Columbus. 

Thrones love your lustre. Are you, too, of In- 
dia, my dream? {Religion advances; Columbus 
looks at her steadily.) You do not seem like the 
others. What have you to do with me ? 

Religion. 

I am thy heart's desire more than all else — Re- 
ligion, my name. {Lifts up the cross. Columbus 
falls on his knees.) Christopher, Christ-bearer, 
thou art ordained of God to break the bonds of the 
heathen, to spread the Gospel, and to free Jerusalem. 

Motives withdraw, singing softly. 
Waves of ocean. 
Westward motion; 
Sea and land. 
Sea and land. 

Blessed they who understand! 

] 



COLUMBUS 



Columbus. 
Rising from his knees. 
To the court ! To their most serene Highnesses, 
Ferdinand and Isabella, to plead my cause ! 

Seizing his cloak and hat he leaves the 
stage. 



[2J] 



COLUMBUS 



INTERLUDE 

Enter together in a fantastic dance,^ Superstition, 
Prejudice and Ignorance. 

Superstition. 
The earth round, indeed! If that be fact, let 
Truth keep it to herself and leave the world to us. 

Prejudice. 

If the fools who prate such folly have their way, 
there is no rule for us. 

Ignorance. 

Don't tell me — don't let me hear ! Ow ! the light 
hurts my eyes and the truth my ears. 

Superstition. 
Together we are strong and can yet lead the 
world by the nose. 

Prejudice. 

Look out for a man named Columbus. He be- 
lieves that the world is round. Ha ha! Ho ho! 
he he ! 

^ See description of dances on pages 46-53. 

[ ^ ] 



COLUMBUS 



Superstition. 
To-day he seeks a way to prove his truth before 
the wise one. Til trip him before them all. 

Prejudice. 

ril lodge in the minds of kings and queens. 
Ignorance. 

Don't tell me anything. V\\ spread myself every- 
where. 

All dance in a ring from the stage. They 
sing as they go. 

Witches' Song. 
Gorum, gorum, gorum, gee! 
The rule of three ! 

He ! he ! he ! 
Come day, come night, 
Truth must take flight; 

For the world is ours. 



I'M] 



COLUMBUS 



SCENE II 

The court assembles, the Councilors and Buffoon 
coming in first, then the Pages, announcing the 
King and the Queen, who enter, followed by the 
Ladies in Waiting and Courtiers, 



King. 

We have assembled for the purpose of hearing 
and discussing the plans of the Genoese navigator, 
Columbus. 

Queen. 

To a Page. 

Then let him be brought forth to plead his case. 

The Page bows, goes out, and returns with 
Columbus. Columbus kneels before the 
Queen, kisses her hand, kneels again to 
the King and then rises to address the 
court. 



Columbus. 

Most gracious Sovereigns, honorable councilors, 
the fact that I am bidden to your presence assures 
[25] 



COLUMBUS 



me that you think my proposition worthy of con- 
sideration. I have spent my substance and my 
years in the study of those sciences that give us 
knowledge of this earth. My belief that it is round, 
and that by sailing west we shall reach the rich 
lands of the East is confirmed by the noted Tos- 
canelli. 

King. 

Our knowledge of your belief has outstripped 
your coming. We have heard that you would dis- 
prove the wisdom of our wisest. 

Councilors smile scornfully. 

First Councilor. 
What foolishness is this that you try to make us 
believe? The earth round — indeed! 

Second Councilor. 
If what you say be true, how can men live on the 
opposite side of this earth ? Their heads must hang 
downward, and the rain and the hail must fall 
upward. 

Buffoon. 

And, pray then, what would become of those 
whose heads have not weight enough to hang? 

General hiiz^ of Councilors and court. 
[26] 



COLUMBUS 



Isabella. 

Let him speak on. It pleases me to hear how far 
his boldness will carry him. 

Columbus. 

The wisdom of earlier centuries upholds my 
opinion. Do not the books of Aristotle, the Greek, 
and Ptolemy, the Egyptian, declare the earth a 
sphere? See this map. 

Columbus unfolds Toscanelli's map. 
Councilors gather around. 

Third Councilor. 
But if the earth be round, how then can a ship 
ever get home, since it must sail uphill to do so ? 

Columbus, 

If you place a fly on an apple, cannot the fly walk 
around the apple and reach his starting point ? 

Bujfoon. 

Being a fly, why should he not fly off? {Coun- 
cilors look at Columbus and significantly tap their 
foreheads. ) I wot there be more fools than one at 
court. 

Fourth Councilor. 
Navigator, if you search the Scriptures, you will 
find much to discredit your belief. Does it not say 

[27] 



COLUMBUS 



in the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews that the 
heavens are a tabernacle extended over the earth? 
How could this be true, if the earth were a sphere? 

Columbus. 

You interpret the Scriptures wrongly. St. Paul 
did not speak technically, as a cosmographer. 
Rather, he spoke figuratively, within the comprehen- 
sion of all. 

Isabella. 

To Ferdinand. 
He speaks fairly, and I am much taken with 
his words. 

Columbus. 

To Isabella. 

If your Majesty will aid me in my enterprise, all 
the marvels of India shall be at your disposal : into 
your treasury shall flow the gold; for your adorn- 
ment shall be the jewels and the silks; for Castile 
and Arragon shall be opened the way to untold 
wealth and riches ; and for you, gracious Queen, 
shall be the mission of promoting the Christian faith 
in the great East. 

Isabella. 

My heart has ever cherished the hope of sending 
the blessed Gospel into heathen lands. 

[28] 



COLUMBUS 



Luis de Santangel, 
What do you seek for yourself, Columbus? 

Columbus. 

I ask you to furnish the ships for my expedition ; 
then, I desire the titles and privileges of admiral and 
viceroy over the lands I reach, and also one-eighth 
of their profits, since I share one-eighth of the 
expense. 

Talavera. 

The terms are exorbitant, your Majesties; and, 
if he fails, then the Spanish monarchs will be the 
ridicule of all the nations. 

Ferdinand. 

Far be it from Castile and Arragon to pledge 
their royal trust to the whim of an adventurer. 

Columbus. 

But, may it please your Serene Highnesses, these 
terms are like those offered by Portugal to her 
navigators. 

Isabella. 

To Columbus, regretfully. 
Your words have been most eloquent and almost 
am I persuaded to believe their truth; yet, not 
lightly should a sovereign yield her judgment to 
desire. I cannot grant your request. 

[29] 



COLUMBUS 



Columbus. 

Then, to France I go. If Spain refuses such a 
privilege, France will be wiser. Farewell. 

He goes out. 

Buffoon. 

Hilly dilly ho ! It is my opinion that the world 
is upside down; so are we all upside down; ergo, 
let us walk upside down. 

Stands on his head. The court here breaks 
into small groups, eagerly discussing 
what has occurred. Luis Santangel and 
Councilor rise sbmdtaneous. The Coun- 
cilor yields the floor to his companion. 



Luis Santangel. 
Most worthy Queen and Patroness, in your own 
royal words you have stated the dream of your 
life, — to rescue Jerusalem and restore the Holy 
Sepulchre to the Christian world. Think of your 
regret should this enterprise, rejected by you, be- 
come the triumph of another. 

Beatrix. 

O noble Queen, but one word from you, and 
there will be wealth and honor for Spain, and glory 
for God. 

[30] 



COLUMBUS 



Isabella. 

To King. 

Ferdinand, will the crown of Spain yield the 
money to send Columbus to the East ? 

Ferdinand. 

Coldly. 

Can you draw on a treasury already exhausted 
by our Moorish wars ? 

Isabella. 

Say no more. The way shall open. (Turns to 
Page.) Hasten to overtake Columbus. Tell him 
the Queen bids him return — nay, more, commands 
his presence here. 

Page goes out. Hubbub among the coun- 
cilors, who do not like this proceeding. 

Cardinal Mendoza. 
The church of God should not be without ex- 
pression of gratitude to her, our royal protector, 
who stands ever for its welfare and the extension 
of its power. 

Enter Page with Columbus. The Queen 
rises, and advances three steps from her 
throne. Columbus kneels, and she of- 
fers him her hand, at the same time rais- 
ing him from the ground. The court 

[31] 



COLUMBUS 



rise with the Queen. Ferdinand alone 
remains seated. 

Isabella, 

You have not kneeled to sovereignty in vain. I 
undertake the enterprise for my ov^n crown of 
Castile and will pledge my jewels to raise the 
necessary funds. 

Cohmihus, 

Your Highness shall never regret this moment. 
You have given me the reward for all my years of 
toil. Henceforth my service and allegiance are 
rendered to Spain. 

Cohimbits looks to Ferdinand, who rises 
slowly. 

Ferdinand. 

Castile and Arragon are one in all things. The 
contract shall be drawn, bold navigator, by which 
you rise or fall. Let us proceed at once. 

Here the Buffoon makes hand springs and 
skips here and there in foolish fashion. 
The procession starts; the Pages lead 
the way, then the Councilors, the King 
and the Queen in close intercourse with 
Columbus, finally the Courtiers and 
Ladies in Waiting. 

[32] 



COLUMBUS 



INTERLUDE 

A painted background of sea and sky. The prow 
of a ship at extreme right of stage, silhouetted 
on the blue background. Columbus stands in 
the prow, motionless, looking straight ahead. 
Dovtbts and Fears sneak upon the stage from 
each side. They begin to whine and wail in 
high pitched voices as they swarm around the 
ship. 

Doubts. 
You'll never reach land. 

Fears. 

The sea monsters will devour you! 

Doubts. 

There's only one way to India. 

Fears. 

You'll fall over the edge of the earth ! 
Doubts and Fears. 

In chorus. 

Oo ! Oo ! Drowned in the ooze of the deep ! 
[33] 



COLUMBUS 



Commotion behind the scenes, a clarion 
call of Land ahead I " The Doubts 
and Fears scamper off the stage. Co- 
lumbus descends into the ship's hold. 
Note. — If the Festival is given in a school, let all 
present at this point sing : 

CHORUS 

These verses are from the poem, Columbus," by 
Joaquin Miller, 
Behind him lay the gray Azores, 

Behind the gates of Hercules, 
Before him not the ghost of shores, 

Before him only shoreless seas. 
The good mate said : Now must we pray, 

For, lo, the very stars are gone ! 
Brave admiral, speak! What shall I say?" 

" Why, say, ' Sail on and on ! ' " 

They sailed ; they sailed Then spake the mate : 

" This mad sea shows his teeth to-night, 
He curls his lip; he lies in wait; 

With lifted teeth, as if to bite. 
Brave admiral, say but one good word — 

What shall we do when hope is gone ? " 
The words leapt like a leaping sword, 

" Sail on, sail on, sail on and on ! " 
[34] 



COLUMBUS 



Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck 

And peered through darkness— ah, that night 
Of all dark nights ! And then a speck — 

A light ! A light ! A light ! A light ! 
It grew; a starlit flag unfurled — 

It grew to be Time's burst of dawn. 
He gained a world ; he gave that world 

Its grandest lesson : On ! Sail on ! " 



[35] 



COLUMBUS 



SCENE III 

A painted curtain of sea and shore in the hack- 
ground. A few trees on the stage. Enter an 
Indian from the right. He peers to the left of 
the background, makes a few guttural signs. 
Three other Indians, one by one, join him. He 
leads them to the point from which he had ob- 
served a strange sight. They chatter among 
themselves in an unknown tongue. Columbus 
and his followers appear from the left. Co- 
lumbus, arrayed in scarlet, bears the standard 
of Spain. His lieutenants carry white banners 
with large green crosses at the extremity of 
each arm, bearing the initials of the sovereigns 
with a royal crown above each letter. Colum- 
bus and his men take off their hats, kneel, and 
kiss the ground. When the white men appear, 
the Indians withdraw to the extreme right as 
if overawed, and there crouched on hands and 
knees, watch the ceremonies from a distance. 

Columbus. 
Rising with his men. 
I, Christopher Columbus, call upon all present to 

[ 36 ] 



COLUMBUS 

bear witness that I take possession of this land and 
of all other continents and islands hereto adjacent, 
for the crowns of Castile and Arragon in the name 
of the Holy Trinity. {He takes up a handful of 
earth and breaks off a branch of a shrub near by.) 
I declare that this land with all it holds is now part 
of the dominions of their Catholic Majesties and 
christen it San Salvador for our Savior. 

Columbus and his men sing a Hymn. 

THE HYMN 

Uni trinoque Domino 

Sit sempiterna gloria! 

Qui vitam sine termino 

Nobis donet in patria. Amen. 
Columbus and his men offer them trinkets. 
As the Indians come nearer, the gold 
chain of one draws the attention of 
Columbus. 

Columbus. 
To his followers. 
Gold! We have not been misguided. Heaven 
has helped us fulfill our promise to their Majesties. 
{Touching chain, to Indian.) Show us where. 

No response. The white men follow suit 
and finger nose-pieces or earrings. They 
[37 J 



COLUMBUS 

make gestures, with questioning faces, 
toward the background of shore. An 
Indian finally points to the right, Co- 
lumhus moves ahead, beckoning until 
the Indian who first pointed leads the 
way. 



[38] 



COLUMBUS 



SCENE IV 

A bare room or cell, scantily furnished. Colum- 
bus in chains is seated on a narrow cot. Enter 
Diego. 

Diego. 

My father, have you slept? {Glancing at him 
more closely.) You have not. Despair and melan- 
choly are your constant companions. 

Columbus, 

Every day I grow weaker. Why should I sleep ? 
These chains from an ungrateful sovereign are 
light to those that fetter my spirit. I have failed 
in all I sought. I look upon the labor that I labored 
to do, and my very desires rise to mock me and 
point fingers of scorn at me. 

Diego. 

Let me go again to His Highness, the King, and 
if I do not move Heaven and earth in your behalf, 
I am not worthy to be your son. 

Columbus. 

Go, Diego, to the court; recall to them my in- 
firmities and the recompense due to me for my 
[39] 



COLUMBUS 



service. Present my case to King Ferdinand. 
Would that his saintly queen still lived! {Diego 
starts to leave.) Stay, Diego. Yet would I give 
you a father's blessing. Say to the King that my 
days are short. 

Diego goes out. Light laughter is heard 
behind the scenes. Enter, dancing, Gold, 
Silk, and Jewel. See description of 
dances on pages 46-5^, 

Columbus. 

Putting out his hands as if for protection, 
I know you all too well. 

Gold. 

Thou art not the first, nor shalt thou be the last 
to seek me in vain. 

Jewel. 

Neither on sea nor land did my light shine for 
thee. 

Silk. 

What silken robes invest thee now? 

All. 

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! 

Gold, Silk and Jewel, withdraw, leaving 
Columbus in lonely despair. Religion 
enters softly. 

[40] 



COLUMBUS 



Columbus. 
Must you come, too ? 

Religion, 

I, alone, of all thy desires do not mock thee now. 
God made you the messenger of the new heaven 
and the new earth, and He showed thee where to 
find it. 

Columbus lifts his head and listens atten- 
tively, but again resumes an attitude of 
dejection. 

Columbus. 

In all this wide, wide world no home for me, but 
you have come to lead my restless soul. I see the 
open door and cry for Death that I may roam no 
more. 

Columbus hardly finishes speaking before 
Death appears. After a short descrip- 
tive pantomime, Death speaks. See 
description of dances on pages 46-53, 

Death. 

To Columbus. 
Ah, one more mortal from this earth I claim! 
Man, where is thy glory, now? Like a common 
mortal thou diest. I know no partiality. Men 
scorn me and hate me, but always I am the victor. 

[41] 



COLUMBUS 



Columbits. 

Why did you not take me in my kingly days, 
when Spain granted me a place beside her sover- 
eigns ? 

Death. 

I bide my time. Men may not choose, but come 
with me; forget this weary world, and I promise 
thee that it will likewise forget thee. 



Religion. 

Stay, Death. I command thee to stop. This 
man is claim.ed by me. In the book of Eternal Life 
thou wilt find the name of Christopher Columbus 
blazoned for all time. 

Death. 

And who art thou that measurest thy strength 

against mine? 

Religion. 

I represent the minds of millions of men of the 
coming generation, who will pass thee by as a 
ravager and give into my keeping the soul of 
Christopher Columbus. (Religion drops her dark 
robe and reveals a white clad figure.) I am Im- 
mortality ! 

[42] 



COLUMBUS 



Death. 

Is it the soul of the man thou seekest? Ha! 
Give me his body. What Hf e beyond the grave ! 

Immortality, 
Nay, Death, thou shalt spare the life of his senses 
that his eyes may behold the glory of the land he 
has discovered and the principalities and powers 
which dwell therein. 

Death. 

Yet shall he be aware of my presence and be- 
hold with waning sense. 

Immortality, 
Not India, Columbus, nor yet pearls nor gold, 
thou foundest, over seas, a strange new world, — 
two continents, twice Europe each, bounded by 
mighty seas from frigid climes of ice and snow to 
glow of tropic heat. 

Columhus. 

Diego, Diego, my son, where art thou? Hear 
these wonderful words; carry them to the King — 
to Ferdinand; let all Spain know — ^yet it was not 
India — there was no gold ! 

Immortality, 
Yes, and wealth transcending India's store; for- 
ests and fields and rivers, mines and seas, the earth 
[43] 



COLUMBUS 



and her increase — yea, and more than these, people 

of many cHmes and industries. 

Behind a light screen between front and 
back of stage pass figures representing: 
an Esquimaux, an Indian, a Pioneer, a 
Farmer, a Cozvboy of the West, a Negro 
of the coitonfields, a New England 
Fisherman, a Miner. 

Columbus. 
And all for Spain? 

Immortality. 

As Moses saw the promised land for all man- 
kind, so unto thee the vision of a land which all 
men share in, bond or free. All kingdoms of the 
earth have touched her shore : ''Her latch string 
never was draw^n in against the poorest child of 
Adam's kin/' 

Behind the screens pass in review: a Puri- 
tan, a Dutch Patroon, a French Hugue- 
not, a lesuit Priest, an Italian Peasant, 
a Russian, a Chinaman, a Japanese, a 
Spanish-M exican. 

Columbus. 

But their Majesties, Ferdinand and Isabella, for 
whom I claimed the soil? 

[44] 



COLUMBUS 



Immortality. 
Greater than they the name of Liberty. {Behind 
the screen appears the Statue of Liberty.) She 
from the first possessed the soil and made all men, 
from sea to sea, believe and understand the worth 
of being free.'' 

Columbus. 

I falter in my thought. Dimly I see. What 
name is hers, this queen of Liberty? 

Immortality. 

America, her name, but true to thee, ' Columbia ' 
her song shall ever be. 

Columbus rises proudly — his chains fall 
from him. Death moves forward to 
claim his victim. 

Columbus. 
Moving to the side of Immortality. 
I do not die. There is no death for me. Hence- 
forth, I dwell with Immortality. 

The two withdraw, and Death collapses, 
''Columbia the Gem of the Ocean" is 
sung as a recessional behind the stage. 



[45] 



Dances for ''Columbus'* 



SCENE I 
DANCE OF THE MOTIVES 

Music from Meissner's ''Art Song Cycles/' Book 
I, Page i8. Motives trip in, in the order given, to 
places at side of stage, away from Columbus. They 
sv^ay in place forward and back, until all are in 
position and then four more counts. 

Dance. I (a). Beginning with the right foot, 
glide, close forward two times. (Arms raised side- 
ward and upward to form an arch over the head.) 
Beginning with the left foot, glide close diagonally 
backward two times. (Arms lowering sideward to 
position.) Repeat a. 

I (Z?). In soft even running steps Gold glides 
over to Columbus as the other three Motives glide 
into a circle counter clockwise. After i6 steps 
take position side by side, facing forward. (24 
steps or counts in h.) 

II (a). Step diagonally backward with (i) left 
foot, sideward (2) right foot, diagonally forward 
(3) left foot, sideward (4) right, diagonally back- 
ward (5) left, sideward (6) right, diagonally for- 

[461 



COLUMBUS 

ward (7) left and (8) pause. Starting with the 
right foot diagonally backward take the same step 
in the opposite direction. Repeat a, 

II (&). Forming a circle as in I (a). Gold 
joins the group and Jewel goes over to Columbus. 
After the i6th count the group holds a pose (hands 
held high in a circle, all facing center and right foot 
raised in back), until Jewel returns to the group. 

III (a). Silk goes to Columbus and the others 
take the following step: Beginning with the right 
foot glide close backward away from the center two 
times and then glide close forward toward the cen- 
ter and repeat whole. Here Religion and Silk 
change places and those in the group join hands and 
take the waltz step around in a circle until Religion 
joins them. They then form into a single line, and 
with swaying motion, forward and backward they 
gradually move off stage rhythmically speaking the 
lines : 

Waves of ocean, 
Westward motion ; 
Sea and land, 
Sea and land. 

Blessed they who understand! 



[47] 



COLUMBUS 



INTERLUDE I 
WITCHES' DANCE 

Music. — Hall of the Mountain King — Grieg's Peer 
Gynt Suite. 

I. Entrance from either side and center. 
Witches sneak on the stage in crouched position 

to center front. Bump into one another and 
startled run back to starting point. Again move 
center front, as they keep looking around to see 
if any one is watching or following (i6 measures). 

II. In a straight line face and take 12 slow 
running steps, 4 steps turn around, and run 12 steps 
back left. Leader then forms into a circle in 4 
counts (8 measures). 

III. Hands in circle facing center. 

Take 8 sliding steps to right ; take 8 sliding steps 
to left (8 measures). 

Keeping hands, gradually in 4 counts and jerk; 
take deep knee bend position. Shake heads for- 
ward 2 times ; right 2, forward 2, left 2, forward 2 
and resumxie standing position in 4 jerks (8 meas- 
ures). 

IV. Slide 4 steps right, slide 4 steps left. Drop 
hands, run away from circle 4 steps, 4 steps turn 

[48] 



COLUMBUS 

around, 4 steps to center, 4 steps turn in place and 
break off for the dialogue. 

When this is finished join hands in a ring and 
circle around during song and with sliding steps, 
circle gradually moves off stage. 



INTERLUDE II 
DOUBTS AND FEARS 

Entrance 

" Doubts " come in from one side and " Fears 
the other. Doubts reach the stage and swarm 
around the ship before the Fears arrive. When 
the Fears reach the ship the Doubts move off to one 
side and appear to consult. The Fears consult on 
the other side. 

The Doubts venture to the front with eyes on 
Columbus, threaten, shaking heads from side to 
side, You'll never reach land,'' and run backward 
to side of stage as the Fears sneak forward to say : 
"The Sea Monsters will devour you," making 
ferocious gestures with hands and faces. Then 
they run back as Doubts come out again pointing 

[49] 



COLUMBUS 



one finger and saying : " There's only one way to 
India." 

Fears come up again and say, You'll fall over 
the edge of the Earth." Then both groups with 
shuddering gesture wail : " Oo ! ! Oo ! ! Drowned 
in the ooze of the Deep." 

The Doubts and Fears then group separately and 
skip into circles on either side of the stage, taking 
hands. 

Skip i6 counts to right, then i6 counts to left. 
The two circles join and skip i6 steps to right and 
i6 steps to left. Skip to center of circle 8 steps and 
backward 8 steps. Again to the center and at this 
point a crash is sounded indicating commotion and 
a cry of Land Ahead " is heard. 

The Doubts and Fears are motionless for an in- 
stant, then quietly and quickly scamper off stage. 



SCENE IV 
SECOND DANCE OF THE MOTIVES 
Music. — Anitra's Dance " — Grieg's Peer Gyni 
Suite. 

Gold, Silk, and Jewel enter at rear of stage, 
position side by side. Laughter at entrance 

[50J 



COLUMBUS 



and during the entire dance Motives look and 
gesture mockingly at Columbus. 
Dance, I. Advancing diagonally forward left. 
Step L., swing r. Step R., swing l. Step l., draw r. 
Step L., draw R. Repeat i and last 2 counts sub- 
stitute a turn in place. 

Repeat again from the beginning starting with 
right foot and dancing diagonally toward rear of 
stage to starting position. 

II. Take 4 skipping steps diagonally forward 
left, knees high and body erect. Then take 4 
skipping steps diagonally backward left, with body 
bent slightly forward. 

Repeat II moving diagonally forward right and 
diagonally backward right. 

III. With light step, skip around Columbus and 
pause in front of him. In turn they speak to 
Columbus and withdraw laughing. 



DEATH'S PANTOMIME 

Music. — ''Asa's Death.'' — Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite. 

Death walks into the room apparently seeking 
victims and discovers Columbus. 

In Pantomime she shows how, under various cir- 
[SI] 



COLUMBUS 



cumstances, Death claims victims. This is done as 
dramatically as possible and in turn interprets hang- 
ing, stabbing, sickness and old age ! 
Afterward she speaks. 



MUSIC FOR "COLUMBUS" 

Not already listed with the dances. 

Procession in Scene II. 

The following folk-song music is played to ac- 
company the court procession at the beginning and 
the end of the scene: 

(a) ''The Contrabandiste 
{b) "La Cachucha" 
{c) " Song from the Pyrenees" 
in " One Hundred Folk-Songs,'' the Laurel Music 
Series, published by C. C. Birchard & Co., 221 
Columbus Ave., Boston, Mass. 

Chorus in Interlude II. 

Words from poem, " Columbus," by Joaquin 
Miller. . 

Music—" Sail On, O Ship of State," by Rossiter 
Cole, in Laurel Music Reader — Published by C. C. 
Birchard & Co. 

[52] 



COLUMBUS 



Hymn in Scene III. 



.g — J— ^3 — - j;~rg — ^ 



U - ni . tri - no - que Do - mi - no Sit sem - pi - 



=F=tt 



r 



ter - na glo - ri - al Qui vi - tarn si - ne ter - mi - 



P 



r - T " — 

no. No -bis don-et [in pa - tri - a. A - men. 



^ r 



By permission 



Procession in Scene IV. 

Chopin's " Funeral March," second movement, 
played softly during Vision. 



[S3] 



THREE CENTURIES OF AMER- 
ICAN DEMOCRACY 



A Patriotic Festival 



Persons in the Festival 



EPISODE I 



Goodman Greene. 
Goodman Fuller. 
Goodman Weston. 
Goodman Billing. 
Goodman Dunstan 
John Endicott. 
Mistress Fuller. 
Squanto. 

Other Puritan Men, 
and 



Puritan Child. 
Puritan Youth. 
Puritan Woman. 
Puritan Girl. 
Puritan Guard. 
Lord of the May. 
Lady of the May. 
Priest of the Merry- 
makers. 
Women and Children, Indians, 
Merry-Makers. 



EPISODE II 



John Hancock. 
Samuel Adams. 
John Adahs. 
Richard Stockton. 
John Witherspoon. 
Abraham Clark. 
Richard Henry Lee. 
Francis Hopkinson. 
John Hart. 

About eight 



Benjamin Franklin. 
Thomas Jefferson. 
Benjamin Harrison. 
Francis L. Lee. 
Edward Rutledge. 
John Dickinson. 
Philip Livingston. 
Robert Morris. 
A Boy. 
other men present. 

[57] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



INTERLUDE I 
Young Liberty. Columbia. 



INTERLUDE II 



Columbia. 

Atlantic Seaboard. 

Adventure. 

Liberty. 

Progress. 

F ather Time. 



Alaska. 

Louisiana. 

Texas. 

Hawaii. 

Florida. 

Oregon. 

California. 



Living map 
sections. 



EPISODE III 

Jim Whitecliff. Aunt Hannah, his wife. 

Jane, his zvife. Judge Moore, an ex-Sen- 

Mary, ) ator. 
Sallie, > their children 'RASTus,-a Fugitive Slave. 
Ellen, ) Mr. George Oliver 

Ben Rogers. Morgan. 
Emma, his wife. John Green ) from the 

Henry, their son. Tom Atwood ) gold fields. 

Uncle Joe, everybody's 
uncle. 



Capital. 

Labor. 

Bolshevism. 



EPISODE IV 

Scene I 

Strike. 

Greed. 

Monopoly. 

[58] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Scene II 



Four Poor Men. 
Four Poor Women. 
Four Rich Men. 
Four Rich Women. 
Five Children. 
Industry. 
A Soldier. 



A Sailor. 
A Minister. 
A Teacher. 
A Lawyer. 
Democracy, 
Justice. 
Liberty. 



[.9 J 



Scenes in the Festival 



Episode I 

Afternoon of July 8, 1629 (day after midsummer). 
A forest clearing just outside of Salem. 

Episode II 

July 4, 1776. 
Independence Hall, Philadelphia. 

Interlude I 

Just after the Declaration of Independence. 
The cross roads, Union and Democracy, Anarchy 
and Monarchy. 

Interlude II 
1803. 

In the realms of Time. 
Episode III 
1855. 

A clearing in the Middle West. 
Episode IV 

Scene I 

The Present. 
A Street. 

Scene II 

The Present. 
The Hall of Democracy. 



Description of Costumes 



EPISODE I 



Dark bloomers, capes, wide 
white collars and cuffs, 
high - crowned, broad - 
brimmed hats, and low- 
heeled dark oxfords. 



CHARACTERS COSTUMES 

Goodman Greene 
Goodman Fuller 
Goodman Weston 
Goodman Billing 
Goodman Dunstan 
Puritan Youth 
Puritan Guards 
Puritan Men 

John Endicott. — Similar to the above. Also; wears 
a sword. 

Mistress Fuller ^ Long gray or dark dress, 
Puritan Child I white kerchiefs and cuffs, 
Puritan Woman C dark hoods with white 
Puritan Girl J bands around the face. 

Fndian™ } Bi'owi^ suits, fur, feathers. 

Lord of the May. — Light green bloomers, dark 
green coat, and green hat. 

Lady of the May. — Lavender dress, pink and 
white garlands. 

Merry-Makers. — Pink dresses, green dresses, gar- 
lands. 

[6i] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Priest of Merry-Makers. — Bright blue bloomers, 
blouse of yellow, blue and cerise stripes, 
trimmed with points and bells. 



EPISODE II 

Signers of the Declaration of Independence. — 
Low-heeled oxfords with silver buckles; dark 
bloomers ; blue, green, black, gray, etc., coats ; 
long-tailed cutaway; white stocks. 



Atlantic Seaboard 
Living Map Sections 



INTERLUDES I AND II 

Young Liberty. — Short, fluffy white dress, gold 
girdle, crown of gold leaves. 

Columbia. — Long white robe with drapery of red 
and blue from left shoulder; gold crown with 
stars. 

Long robes of dark blue. 
Pasteboard maps, col- 
ored deep rose, cover- 
ing the front of the fig- 
ure and reaching from 
the shoulders to the 
floor. 

Adventure. — Khaki breeches and coat, broad felt 
hat ; red silk handkerchief round the neck. 

Progress. — Fluffy dress of green and white tulle; 
small white wings at sides of head. 

Father Time. — Long brown robe, long white hair 
and beard, hour-glass, scythe. 

[62] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 

EPISODE III 
Jim Whitecliff a 

Ben Rogers I Rough clothes, soft hats, hand- 
Uncle Joe C kerchiefs around necks. 

Henry J 

Jane ) 

Emma > Full skirt, basque, bonnet. 

Aunt Hannah ) 

Mary | 

Sallie I Ordinary children's clothes. 
Ellen ) 

Judge Moore. — Black suit, stiff collar. 

The Fugitive Slave. — Old trousers, pink shirt. 

Mr. George O. Morgan. — Cutaway coat, stiff col- 
lar. 

John Green ) Rough clothes; carry shovels 
Tom Atwood ) and picks. 

EPISODE IV 
Capital. — Evening clothes, high silk hat, diamonds. 
Labor. — Overalls, old hat. 

Bolshevism. — Red robe made of strips to represent 
flames. 

Strike. — Dull gray green robe, green horns. 
Greed. — Yellow robe. 

Monopoly. — Gold blue robes, yellow strings hold- 
ing the drapery. 

[63] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Poor Men. — Old working clothes. 

Poor Women. — Old full skirts, shawls. 

Rich Men. — Well-pressed modern suits. 

Rich Women. — Black velvet dresses, large hats, 
furs. 

Children. — Ordinary clothes. 

Industry. — Working clothes, carry a sledge ham- 
mer. 

Soldier. — Army clothes. 
Sailor. — Sailor clothes. 
Minister. — Gown; book. 

Teacher. — Plain blue suit, white collar, plain hat. 
Lawyer. — Gown ; brief case. 

Democracy. — White draped robe, covered with a 
black domino. 

Justice. — Dark robe; sword held with both hands 
in front of the figure. 

Liberty. — White robe with gold figures. Gold 
crown with long gold rays. 



(64] 



Settings and Properties 



The stage can be simply arranged with gray cur- 
tains as a background, using only a few properties 
to suggest the different scenes. 

Episode I 
A Forest Clearing 

Trees. 

Wood for erecting schoolhouse and stocks. 
Bundles of fur carried by Indians. 
Cloth and beads to trade to Indians. 
Gilded stuff for Lord of May. 
Bell to toll for evening prayer at end. 

Episode II 

Independence Hall, Philadelphia 
Tables, chairs. 
Pictures. 

Gavel and block for Hancock. 
Declaration of Independence. 
Quill pens and ink. 

Bell to ring for Independence at the end. 
[65 3 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Interlude I 

Cross Roads 
Sign posts — " Union and Democracy/' "An- 
archy/' Monarchy/' 

Second curtain across back of platform. 

Interlude II 
Bare Stage 
Curtain at back for living map sections. 
Dial and scythe for Father Time. 

Episode III 
A Clearing in Middle West 

Spades. 
Axes. 

Stumps to sit on. 

Pail of water for children. 

Armful of wood for Henry. 

Book for Henry. 

Doll for Ellen. 

Ball and jacks for children to play with. 

Bundles to unpack. 

Cot to lay slave on. 

Water and towels to bring to slave. 

Charred wood for Mary to blacken face with. 

Gold for Tom to show. 

[ 66 ] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Episode IV 
Scene I. — A street. 
Street sign and proclamation. 
Stick of charcoal to write proclamation. 

Scene IL — Hall of Democracy 
Hods and baskets. 
Tools for Industry. 
Lawyer's bag. 

Platform for Justice and Liberty. 

There is a fine opportunity in the Festival for 
Community singing of patriotic songs. The follow- 
ing program may be suggestive : 

Opening Chorus America, the Beautiful 

Before Episode II Yankee Doodle 

Before Interlude I America 

Before Interlude II, Columbia, the Gem 

of the Ocean 

Before Episode III A Pioneer's Song 

Note:. — Words of pioneer songs 
may be found in Hamlin Garland's 
"A Son of the Middle Border"; 
" Freedom's Star " on page 45 is 
particularly good. Another appropri- 
ate selection is the Pioneers' Song in 
the " Masque of American Drama " by 
Albert Edmund Trombly. 

Before Episode IV Dixie 

Battle Cry of Freedom 
Closing Chorus. . . .The Star Spangled Banner 

[67] 



Three Centuries of Amer- 
ican Democracy 



EPISODE I 

Time. — Afternoon of July 8, 1629, day after mid- 
summer. 

Place. — Forest clearing just outside of Salem. 

A clearing in the forest is shown. John Endicott 
and several Puritans are beginning to build a 
schoolhouse. Some are erecting stocks. 

G. Greene. 

Let us make haste, as the sun begins to sink. To- 
morrow when we come out to work, I will bring 
more men. This schoolhouse must be finished 
soon, else our children grow up in ignorance of 
, God's Bible. 

G. Weston. 

But after it be finished? Are all willing to pay 
their share toward maintaining it? 

[69] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



G. Fuller. 

We will call a town meeting to-night. I will sug- 
gest that the men who send their children to school 
pay for it. Then every man can give his views and 
decide w^hether those who receive no benefit from 
it should pay for maintaining it. What say you, 
Goodman Weston ? 

G. Weston. 

I agree with you, for did we not say when we 
founded our colony that a man should pay only as 
large a subscription as he could without sin? And 
surely our school lays the foundation for our 
church by teaching our children to read the Bible. 

G. Greene. 

And how large is the school to be? Would it 
not be well to place the stocks here also ? 

G. Fuller. 

Indeed it would be a suitable warning to our off- 
spring who are inclined to be wayward. 

G. Billing. 

By the way, Brother Fuller, methinks it be time 
to do something about this troublesome village of 
Merrymount, a few miles from here. These people 

c 70 ] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



who call themselves " Merry-Makers " are continu- 
ally annoying us and our children both in work and 
in prayer. 

Puritan Child. 
Yes, and yesterday as we were walking a little 
distance from the town, we met some of these 
naughty children. They taunted and made fun of 
us, and called us " dismal wretches " and other bad 
names. They said we got up before daybreak to 
say our prayers, and that we had to go to school to 
an old queer teacher, while they played all day. 

Child sobs and cries. Her mother, sitting 
near, comforts her. 

G. Fuller. 

This Thomas Morton, the leader, thought he was 
in too close restraint at Plymouth, and established 
this village of perpetual merry-making to the shame 
and reproach of all godly people. 

G. Billing. 

And moreover, they have not even a meeting- 
house. They never pray. Morton, in a spirit of 
wickedness, reads from a book. 

G. Greene. 

Not only that, but they traded firearms with the 
[71 ] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Indians for furs and thus furnished the savages 
with arms that might be used against us. 

Puritan Youth. 
He surely is a wicked man. For, not content 
with doing that which our people had forbidden, he 
cheats the Indians by selling them black sand for 
powder and demanding more furs than was fair and 
just. 

Puritan Woman. 
Perhaps he thought that his crime would be less- 
ened when he weighed out worthless sand instead 
of powder that might be used to our harm; but we 
claim that the savages must be dealt w^ith fairly and 
honestly, otherwise they would look upon us who 
were willing to trade justly, as rogues and thieves. 

Mistress Fuller. 
Morton erected this May-pole, the banner staff of 
that gay and godless colony. Dressed in fantastical 
and clownish costumes they dance round the May- 
pole the whole day long. 

Puritan Girl 
They say that our festivals are fast-days and our 
chief pastim.e is the singing of psalms. And if vv^e 

[72] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 

wanted to dance or even thought of it, we would sit 
in stocks for an afternoon; or if we danced, it 
would be around the whipping-post, which they 
term the Puritan May-pole.'' 

Goodman Dunsfan enters at this point, 

G. Dunstan, 

Brethren, know you that our good Governor En- 
dicott, together with a few of our good citizens?, 
has been gone this whole day to Merrymount? 
Pray that he bring the villains back with him ! 

The Puritans, in chorus. 
Pray God he does ! 

Two Indians now enter with bundles of 
fur. 

G. Greene. 
Good-day to you, red brethren. 

Squanto. 

Good-day, paleface. Red man come trade furs. 

G. Greene. 
What will you have for them? 

Squanto, 
We want fire-water. 

[73] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



G. Greene. 

Nay, you need cloth for your squaw and little 
pappoose. 

Squanto, 

Me take only fire-water. When you no give, we 
go to people of Merrymount. 

G. Greene. 

We will not give you fire-water. You know how 
much it harms you. If you do not care to take 
cloth, you must find some other place to trade. 

Indians hesitate, 

Sqitanto, 

We take cloth. Squaw much need. 

Indians hold out furs. 

G, Greene. 

They are very good furs, my brother. I will 
give you this cloth and these beads in return. Does 
it please you? 

Squanto. 

We take. 

They move off the stage. 
G. Greene. 

Good-day, red brethren. Peace be with you and 
your tribe. 

[74] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Indians. 

Grunting. 
Good-day. - 

G. Fuller. 

Methinks it about time for us to cease our labors* 
The sun has disappeared below the horizon. Ah! 
But what is this noise I hear? Can it be Brother 
Endicott returning with his prisoners? 

The Puritan Men. 

It is ! It is ! 

Enter John Endicott, Lord and Lady of 
the May and other Merry-Makers, who 
are surrounded by Puritan Guards, 
The Merry 'Makers are clothed in daz- 
zling and fantastic garments. Their 
faces are drawn hut defiant. To the 
left of Endicott, guarded by Puritan 
Officers, is the Priest of the Merry- 
Makers. He is clothed in long, black 
priestly garments decked with flowers, 
in heathen fashion, and wearing a chap- 
let of the native vine leaves. 

Endicott. 

Ye Puritans, we have before us as prisoners these 
hated Merry-Makers whom God has permitted us 

[75] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



to capture. Before you, brethren, are men who 
have sported with Hfe; who have lived riotously; 
who have ignored the future and mocked our God. 
What punishment will ye have for them? 

G. Fuller. 
Standing in front of Endicott. 
Let the whipping-post be their punishment ! 

G. Diuistan. 
Nay, we shall brand and crop their ears ! 

One of the Puritan Guards. 
What shall we do with this godless priest of the 
Merry-Makers ? 

Endicott, grimly frowning, extends his 
hand sternly toward the priest. 

Endicott. 

Thou art the man who could not abide the rule 
even of thine own corrupted church, and hast come 
hither to preach iniquity, and to give example of it 
in thy life. 

The Guard. 
How many stripes for the priest? 



None as yet. 



Endicott. 
It must be for the great general 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



council to decide whether stripes and long imprison- 
ment, and other grievous penalty, may atone for his 
transgressions. Let him look to himself! For 
such as violate our civil order, it may be permitted 
to show mercy. But woe to the wretch that trou- 
bleth our religion ! 

G. Dunstan. 

Where are the Lord and Lady of the Merry- 
Makers ? 

Endicott, 

Stretching his hand toward the Puritan Guards 
who are surrounding the Lord and Lady. 
Bring hither, I pray thee, the Lord and Lady of 
the May. 

The Officers and the Lord and Lady of the 
May come to front of stage. The 
Youth is clothed in glistening apparel, 
with a scarf of the rainbow pattern 
crosswise on his breast. His right hand 
holds a gilded staff and his left grasps 
the fingers of a fair Maiden, as gayly 
decorated as the Youth. Bright roses 
glow in contrast to her dark, glossy curls 
and over her dress are scattered beauti- 
ful flowers. 

177 ^ 



AMERICAN DE^IOCRACY 



A Puritan Voice. 
Methinks the dignity of these shining ones will 
not be fitted with less than a double share of stripes. 

Endicott rests his hand on his sword and 
closely surveys the dress of the hapless 
pair. The youth has dropped his gilded 
staff and thrown Iiis arm about the Lady 
of the May, who leans against his breast. 
They look at each other and then into 
the grim Captain's face. 

Endicott. 

Youth, you stand in an evil case, thou and thy 
maiden wife. Make ready presently, for I am 
minded that ye shall both have a token to remember 
your wedding day ! 

Lord of May. 
Stern man, how can I move thee? Were the 
means at hand, I would resist to death. Being 
powerless, I entreat ! Do with me as thou wilt, but 
let Edith go untouched. 

Endicott. 

What sayest thou, maid ? Shall thy silken bride- 
groom suffer thy share of the penalty, besides his 
own ? 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Lady of May. 
If it be death, lay it all on me ! 

Endicotfs stern face softens as he smiles 
at the spectacle of love before him. 

Endicott. 

If among the spoil, there be any garments of a 
more decent fashion, let them be put upon this May 
Lord and his Lady, instead of their glistening vani- 
ties. Look to it, some of you. {A few Puritans 
leave in search of some garments. ) There be quali- 
ties in this youth, which may make him valiant to 
fight, and sober to toil, and pious to pray; and in 
the maiden, that may fit her to become an ideal 
Puritan woman. 

G. Dunstan. 

Let us go home then with our wives and children. 
The time for evening prayer draws near. 

Goodmen. 

Yes, let us go. 

The Puritan Men, Women and Children 
go off the stage, leaving Endicott and 
the Lord and Lady of the May. 

Endicott. 

I will spare you both if you will promise to lead 
useful lives in our colony in the future. 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Lord and Lady, together. 
Oh, we will, sir ! We swear. 

Endicott. 

Solemnly. 

You are free. {In gratitude, the Lord and Lady 
fall on their knees in front of Endicott.) You wish 
my blessing? Very well, let it be a token. 

As the bell tolls for evening prayer, Endi- 
cott places his hands on the heads of the 
kneeling couple. 



[80] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



EPISODE II 
Time,— July 4, i77(5. 

Place. — Independence Hall, Philadelphia. 

The tables of the room are arranged in a semicircle. 
Several men are seated at them, busily writing. 
Some delegates are pacing the floor as if ab- 
sorbed in deep thought. A few of those just 
entering form small groups in various places. 
Chief of these groups is the one centered about 
Samuel Adams. His voice can be heard above 
the general buzz of conversation saying, 
" George HI shall no longer govern these col- 
onies! We must and shall be free!'* 

Applause from those who agree with him, while 
R. Morris and J. Dickinson, who have just en- 
tered, show their disappointment by the shrug 
of the shoulders and the toss of their head. 

John Hancock enters and takes his place. The 
delegates seat themselves at the tables. 

Hancock. 
Rapping on desk with mallet. 
Gentlemen! the meeting is called to order. We 
have difficult problems before us to solve. Is the 

[81] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Committee on the Declaration of Independence 
ready to report? 

Harrison. 

Mr. President. 

Hancock, 

Mr. Harrison. 

Harrison. 

The Committee has drawn up a document declar- 
ing the Independence of the Colonies of America. 
The declaration has been drafted to the best of their 
abiHty and is now ready to be submitted to this hon- 
orable body. 

Hancock. 

You have heard the report of the Committee. 
What is your pleasure? 

Stockton. 

Rising. 
Mr. President. 

Hancock. 

Mr. Stockton. 

Stockton. 

Mr. President, since the delegates of New Jersey 
were absent from the last session of Congress, they 

[82] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



would like to be informed concerning the steps lead- 
ing up to the drafting of this document. May the 
New Jersey delegates be favored with the reading 
of the resolution of the last meeting? 

Hancock. 

Is it your pleasure to favor the gentlemen from 
New Jersey ? 

Adams. 

I move that we have the resolution read. 

A. Clark. 
I second the motion. 

Hancock. 

Will the Secretary please read the resolution 
made by the gentlemen from Virginia? 

Thomson. 

Rising. 

" Resolved, that the colonies are, and of right 
ought to be, free and independent." 

Dickinson. 

Mr. President. 

Hancock. 

Mr. Dickinson. 

[83] 



AMERICAN DE:M0CRACY 



Dickinson. 

I make a motion that this resolution be accepted. 

Stockton. 
I second the motion. 

Hancock. 

The motion has been made and seconded. All 
in favor, rise. (All men rise.) The decision is 
unanimous. Is it your pleasure to hear further 
from the Committee on the Declaration? 

Dickinson. 

Mr. President. 

Hancock. 

Mr. Dickinson. 

Dickinson. 

The country ought not to be rashly committed to 
a position, to recede from which would be infamous, 
while to persist in it might entail certain ruin. A 
Declaration of Independence would not strengthen 
the resources of the country by a single regiment or 
a single cask of powder; while it would shut the 
door upon all hope of accommodation with Great 
Britain ; and France and Spain would become very 
jealous of a new powxr in the West. 

[84] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



/. Adams. 

Mr. President. 

Hancock. 

Mr. Adams. 

/. Adams. 

Gentlemen, I firmly believe the acceptance of this 
declaration to be the only wise step for us to take. 
Our citizens have suffered murder and imprison- 
ment; our towns have been burned; our liberty 
taken from us. We are slaves of a tyrant who will 
never relent. Gentlemen, the time has come to take 
our fate into our own hands. Let us put our trust 
in God, and fight to the last to throw off the bonds 
of the oppressor. 

Applatise. 

Witherspoon. 

Mr. President. 

Hancock. 

Mr. Witherspoon. 

Witherspoon. 
Gentlemen, the country is not only ripe for Inde- 
pendence, but it is in danger of becoming rotten for 
the want of it. 

Livingston. 

Mr. President. 

[85] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Hancock. 

Mr. Livingston. 

Livingston. 

That a true crisis is upon us is evident to every 
one. I think we should have time to give this great 
and momentous question more thought. May v ^ 
not postpone this affair until we are more ready 
for it ? 



]Mr. President. 



Mr. Adams. 



S. Adams. 



Hancock, 



S. Adams. 

I move that we postpone the measure until a more 
favorable time. 

Morris. 

Springing quickly to his feet, 
I second the motion. 

Hancock. 

All in favor of postponing the declaration, please 
signify by saying, " Yea." 

A small hoy hursts into the room, very 
greatly excited and out of hreath. 
[86] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Hancock, 

What is it, boy? What is the trouble? Quick! 
do not keep us waiting. 

Boy. 

Sir, the English troops are just off the coast of 
Staten Island. The King has hired Hessian sol- 
diers to come to his aid. 

The boy leans against the wall out of 
breath. 

/. Adams. 

What an outrage! What a humiliation! An 
English King to have hirelings fight against his own 
people. And how, may I ask, can we expect to get 
our rights if we do not unite and declare ourselves 
independent of this English tyrant? Now is the 
time to unite and declare ourselves free. I repeat, 
now is the time. We must all hang together. 

Franklin. 

If we don't hang together, we must all hang 
separately. 

Hancock. 

Gentlemen, what is your pleasure concerning a 
Declaration of Independence? 

Cries of ''Question! Question!^' fill the 
air. 

[87] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Hancock, 

All those in favor of signing the Declaration as 
drawn up by Committee respond by saying, Yea/' 
All respond except Dickinson, Thomson 
hands tlie Declaration of Independence 
to Hancock. While Hancock is writiyig 
Witherspoon stands by him. 

Witherspoon. 
This noble instrument on the table which insures 
immortality to its author, should be subscribed this 
very morning by every pen in the house. Although 
these gray hairs must descend into the sepulchre, I 
would infinitely rather they should descend by the 
hand of the executioner than desert at this crisis the 
sacred cause of my countr}\ 

Hancock finishes signing the Declaration. 

Hancock. 

There ! John Bull can read that without spec- 
tacles. Now let him double the reward for my 
head. {To boy.) Run and tell your grandfather 
to ring the bell. 

7. Adams. 

We shall make this a glorious and immortal day. 
All that I am, and all that I have, and all I hope in 
this life, I am now ready to stake on this Declara- 

[88] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 

tion. Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the 
Declaration of Independence, now and forever. 

Boy. 

Heard from behind the scenes. 
Ring, grandfather! Ring! Ring! for Liberty! 
Bell rings. Shouting and rejoicing. The 
men withdraw. 



[89] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



INTERLUDE I 

Time. — After the Declaration of Independence 
scene. 

Place. — The cross roads, Union and Democracy, 
Anarchy and Monarchy. 

After the Independence scene, a second curtain, 
drazKjn across the back of the platform, rises. 
A little girl, dressed as Liberty, appears. She 
stops in confusion when she reaches the cross 
roads of Union and Democracy, Anarchy and 
Monarchy. 

Liberty. 

Three ways, I know not which to go, 
All seem most beautiful to me; 
Down there sweet flowers seem to grow 
Down there a shady wood I see, 
And both seem traveled oft before; 
But yonder road is rough and high 
And worn by no near passer-by. 

Columbia enters just as Liberty is taking 
the road to Monarchy. 

[90] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Columbia. 

Fair child, yield not to flowers and trees 
That seem to offer wealth and ease. 
Those often traveled highways lead 
Through mires of discontent and greed 
To death. 

Though far it seems and rough and dread, 
This way your feet must seek to tread. 

Liberty objects at first, but is finally led off 
by the road to Union and Democracy. 



[91 J 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



INTERLUDE II 

Time. — i8o^. 

Place. — In the realms of Time. 

Cohinibia enters, attended by her romping children: 

Liberty, Progress, Adventure, and Atlantic 

Seaboard. 

Adventure. 

Mother, we must have more roomi to play in. We 
are all cooped uj) here. I have no freedom at all, 
and we are all tired of little Atlantic Seaboard. 

Progress. 

Just what I have been saying! We must have 
more space. I^erhaps you think Adventure and 1 
like to go tagging along with Atlantic Seaboard — 
that child! 

Liberty. 

Running with head thrown back. 
Give me a chance to breathe ! 

Atlantic Seaboard. 
Yes, Mother, I wish you would get some one else 
for them to play with. I am almost pushed into the 
ocean, now. 

[92] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Columbia, 

One at a time, one at a time, children ! My head 
still aches from the strain of that awful Revolution. 
You shall have your new playground in time. 

A knocking at the door is heard, 

Columbia, 

Who is there? 

Voice from without — It is Time, Father 
Time,'' 

Columbia, 

To Progress, 
Go, Progress, open the door. (To Father Time,) 
Come in, Father Time, and help me with these trou- 
blesome children. They are clamoring for more 
playground. 

Father Time enters. 

Father Time. 
Oh, I can help you, Columbia, for I have a host 
of new playfellows for your children. 

He draws aside the curtain and the living 
map sections, Alaska, Louisiana, Texas, 
Hawaii, Florida, Oregon, and Califor- 
nia, come rushing in. Adventure, Prog- 
ress, and Liberty clap their hands in glee 
and rush to meet the newcomers, Co- 
lumbia looks a little doubtful. 
[93] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Cohwibia. 

Why, who are they? Are they fit mates for my 
children ? 

Father Time. 
Dismiss your fears, Columbia. In time they shall 
become as your very own. {Taking out his dial, he 
turns to the revelers.) 1803 now! It is Louisiana's 
turn to stay. 

Atlantic Seaboard. 
Oh, I want her next to me! Can't we be twins? 



Father Time. 
Tack them together. 



Cohunhia. 

Just the thing! Come, Progress, Liberty and 
Adventure, help Father Time fasten Louisiana to 
Atlantic Seaboard. 

Atlantic Seaboard and Louisiana are 
tacked together. 

Father Time, 
Come, you other children of mine, clear out ! It 
is only 1803. Not yet time for you to be born. 

Father Time hurries them along and they 
go reluctantly. 

[94] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Florida, 

I shall come next. 

Texas. 
It will soon be 1846. 

Little Hawaii, 
I can't come until 1898. 

The children of Columbia dance about 
Atlantic Seaboard and Louisiana and 
sweep them off the stage. 



[95] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



EPISODE III 

Time. — i8^j. 

Place. — A clearing in the middle west 

Jim iriiitecliff and Ben Rogers enter. ^ 

J ini. 

Well, Ben, this is home. How do you like it? 
Ben. 

I like the thought of having finished our journey. 
It was pretty tine to wake up this morning and find 
that we didn't have to pack off again. 

Jim. 

We're on a main trail. That is something. 
Folks will be passing near by to and from the coast 
country. 

Ben. 

That will make it less lonesome, especially for 
the womenfolks. 

Jim. 

And the river only a few miles beyond ! 

Judge Moore enters. 

Ben. 

Well, Senator, how are you feeling to-day ? 

[961 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Judge. 

Almost cured. My health has improved with 
each mile traveled. 

Ben, 

This climate will make a new man of you. After 
a year out here you will be in great shape to go 
back to Washington again to help keep Congress 
straight. 

Jim. 

It was straight enough when it passed those 
liberal land laws making these public lands cheap 
enough for men like us to buy them. 

Ben. 

It's a good government that gives the poor man 
a chance. 

Judge. 

You are right, Ben, ours is a good government. 
It is a government based on the right ideals: co- 
operation with others, obedience to law, the privi- 
lege of voting, freedom of religion and universal 
education. If we all hold to these ideals we can't 
go far astray. 

Jane Whitecliff and Emma Rogers enter, 
197] 



AMERICAX DE^NIOCRACY 



Emma. 

This life may be all right, but Td much prefer 
being back in the old home town where I have 
friends and neighbors. Wouldn't you, Jane? 

Jane. 

Where my husband chooses to go, I'll go, and be 
content. Of course there'll be hardships, but how 
happy we'll be when Jien and Jim become pros- 
perous, and they will, I'm sure. 

Judge. 

You'll soon have neighbors, Mrs. Rogers. It will 
not be long before all of these lands are bought. 

Jim. 

They are coming. The immigrants are finding 
this a country worth coming to. They are glad to 
help settle and build up a west for the sake of 
getting a home. 

Uncle Joe enters. 

Uncle Joe. 

Great place, boys ! Great place ! Them folks 
as want to go to California can go, but I don't take 
no stock in this gold business. No honest body in 
this old world ever got rich without work. The 
poor fools what think the gold's out there right 

[98] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 

ready to jump up in their pockets is going to get 
mighty left. 

Aunt Hannah enters. 
Uncle Joe. 

This is the land, boys. Work hard and git 
your new fangled farm machines and well make 
things hum. 

Aunt Hannah. 
Fve heard a lot about these new inventions. They 
tell me that by usin' these reapers and mowers for 
cutting grain and grass a farmer can do as much 
work in a few hours as he could do before in a 
week. 

Uncle Joe. 

Lots of new inventions since I was a lad. Great 
country ! 

Jane. 

Yes, rd like one of those new sewing machines. 
Emma. 

With three girls you need one. 

Aunt Hannah. 
Land's sake ! Next thing they'll have a contrap- 
tion for knitting socks. 

[ 99 ] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Uncle Joe. 

Guess so. They have a steam printin' press 
that'll turn out as many as two hundred four page 
papers a minute. Great country. 

Ben. 

Now even the poorest man can see daily a f re b 
history of the world's doings. 

Judge, 

Clay and Webster have talked to the whole coun- 
try through the press, and have done much to 
strengthen our government. 

^liDit Hannah. 
Well, I think some folks around here better 
strengthen their muscles just now and begin 
swingin' an axe or two if we're to get a roof over 
us by winter. 

Enter children. Mary and Sallie carrying 
a pail of water, Henry bringing an arm- 
fid of wood. Ellen follows, dolls in arms. 

Aunt Hannah. 

Bless my heart ! 

Ellen. 

Mother, if people go, and go and go west, there 
won't be anybody left back east, will there? 
[ lOO ] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Jane, 

3ut, Ellen dear, more people from over the sea 
are coming to this country every day. 

Ellen, 

Now, Mother? Why? 

Jane, 

Judge Moore, I resign in your favor. Do enter- 
tain my baby while I help with this unpacking. 

Judge. 

To Ellen. 

How? On great steamboats. Why? Because 
this is a good country to come to, a very good 
country. 

Uncle Joe. 

I remember that terrible potato famine in Ire- 
land brought the Irish over here thick and fast- 
thousands of them. Then hard times " in other 
countries drove thousands of other folks over too. 
They all found this a pretty place to call home, 
sweet home. 

Judge. 

The best thing about our growing is the spread- 
ing of our ideals of government. Whenever we 
gain land, democracy gains power. This growth 
[ loi] 



A]MERICAX DE:M0CRACY 



has stimulated the extension of suffrage; it has 
strengthened conhdence in local self-government. 

Jhn. 

And it has surely brought about better means of 
traii.sportalion and communication. 

If 

Uncle Joe. 

Fulton's folly wasn't such a joke. That old log 
kept g(jin' pretty well, and a lot of other logs too. 

Ben. 

You are right, Uncle Joe. 

Uncle Joe. 

Guess there wouldn't be so many people out west 
here if steamboats hadn't been put on rivers and 
them great lakes. And that steam-wagon ! That 
was made back in '28. Well, folks, that did move 
things along right smart. Why, 'fore long trains 
was runnin' most every which way. Speaking of 
changes, why, when I w^as a young fellar most men- 
folks drunk liquor every day, and some of 'em all 
day. Got so bad some folks made a temperance 
society. Done a lot of good, too. Why, two or 
three years back Maine made some prohibition 
laws. 

[ 102] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Emma, 

It's a fine thing to live in a country where people 
care about their fellow-beings. 

Judge. 

Yes, Mrs. Rogers, the people of this country are 
not only a free people but a kindly people, interested 
in each other. Humanitarian reforms may be seen 
along many lines, for side by side with growth of 
democracy is going a stronger feeling of public 
responsibility towards the poor, the weak, the 
friendless, and even the criminal. 

Uncle Joe. 

. Yes, siree, they made a fine new penitentiary 
'bout twenty years ago and give each prisoner a nice 
little room all to himself. 

Jim. 

Just see how our schools are improving and 
spreading. 

Mary. 

Come on, Ellen. Come on, Sallie and Henry. 
Let's unpack our books. 

Jane. 

Children ! Hush ! Listen ! 

A noise as of some one running is heard, 
[ 103 ] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Emma, 
What is the matter ? 

Fugitive Slave enters, running. 

Slave. 

Oh, Marse, Marse, sabe me, please sabe me. I 
bin runnin' days an' days. They're atter me, they're 
atter me, and I can't go no further. 

Jim. 

No one will hurt you here. Where have yqw run 
from ? 

Slave. 

I runned away from my marster, an' he's atter 
me wid dogs. {W^aUnig ajid trembling.) Oh, 
Marse, don't let 'em get me. 

The Slave, fainting, is caught by men and 
laid on a cot. Women rush to aid. 

Jane. 

Run, Henry, and fetch some water. 

Emma. 

Poor man, he must have had a hard day. What 
a pity these black folks have to work from morning 
till night for nothing. Get some towels, Mary. 
[ 104] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Jane, 

And some of them are treated worse than dogs. 
Here, Henry, right here with that water. 

Aunt Hannah, 
Well, if we should get every one to read " Uncle 
Tom's Cabin," I'm sure this country would soon be 
all free, and not just white free. 

Sallie, 

Come on, let's play Topsy and little Eva. 
Mary. 

Goody, goody ! I'll be Topsy. 

Blackens face with charred wood and 
jumps about. The little girls go out, 

' , Emma, 
He is coming to. Aunt Hannah, will you get 
something ready for him to eat? 

Aunt Hannah. 
Yes. Poor man. 

Aunt Hannah goes out. 

Ben. 

That's all very fine, but if they don't do the work 
who will ? It seems to me we need their labor now 

[ 105 ] 



AMERICAN DE^IOCRACY 



as never before. Our inventions are calling for 
more laborers all the time. The cotton gin fairly 
shouts for more and more laborers to pick cotton to 
keep it fed; the steamboats and railroads call for 
more cleaned cotton to take to northern cities for 
the fast growing mills. And how can the South 
meet this great demand if they have no slave labor? 

Jwi. 

How does the North do its work? How does it 
operate its mills? build its railroads? its canals? its 
steamboats? How farm its land? With slave 
labor? No! 

Judge. 

At the north the laborer is free; whatever he 
earns is his own. At the south he is not free; what 
he earns is his master's. The North with free labor 
has steadily increased in population and wealth; the 
South with slave labor has made but little real 
progress. 

Jane. 

No man in this free country has the right to tell 
another man that he must do a thing and offer him 
nothing in return. The laborer is worthy of his 
hire. 

[ io6] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Emma, 

Hush. 

The Slave, regaining consciousness, looks 
about from one to the other, 

Jane, 

Come now, my good man, and have something to 
eat. You must be hungry. 

Slave, 

To the men. 

But you won't sen' me back? You won't sen' 
me back ? 

Jim, 

No, 'Rastus, you're safe here. But why did you 
run away? 

Slave, 

I wuz sol' to a new master not long ago, a hard, 
cruel master. He beat me — beat my body en beat 
my heart. I couldn't stand it no longer, so I up 'n' 
run away. — Dey mus' be atter me with dogs en 
guns. 

Henry, 

Big dogs ? 

Slave. 

Yes, siree, boy. Some white folks helped me 
'scape. They took me 'cross a river, en hid me day 
[ 107] 



AMERICAN DE3I0CRACY 



times, en gib me somethin' to eat 'long the way. 
But the last I had to eat wuz days ago, I thinks. I 
bin sa skeer'd, I bin runnin' ebber since. 

Emma. 

You need not be afraid any more, 'Rastus. No 
one will hunt for you out here. Now come and eat. 

The Slave, E}nma and Jane go out. 

Jhn. 

Tell me, Senator, do you think we are right in 
aiding this runaway? 

Judge. 

To my knowledge, I have never disobeyed an act 
of Congress, but I must refuse to send back to the 
South a fugitive slave. You are doing what is 
right, I believe. I say with Senator Seward, " On 
this point I feel that there is a Higher Law than 
that of Congress — a divine law of justice and free- 
dom which forbids us to give the help demanded 
by the South.'' 

Ben. 

But isn't this driving deeper the wedge that is 
forcing the North and the South farther and far- 
ther apart ? 

[ 108] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Judge. 

Perhaps it may seem so. But our Federal Union 
must be preserved and must be preserved free. 
Even war may come but the wrong must be over- 
come — and it will be. 

Ellen, Mary, and Sallie enter, 

Sallie. 

We're bringing company. 

Mary. 

See them tying their horses. (To persons off 
stage.) Come on. This is our camp. 

John Green and Tom Atwood enter. 

Jim, 

Welcome, strangers. Welcome to our camp and 
its comforts. 

Henry, 

Hotel Fresh Air. 

John. 

Hope we're not intruding. We just couldn't 
withstand the invitation of these charming young 
ladies, so here we are. My name is John Green, 
and this is my pardner, Tom Atwood. We're 
headed east. 

[ 109 ] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Jim. 

Glad to meet you both. My name's Whitecliff — 
Jim Whitecliff — from Jersey. Just arrived. 

Ben. 

And Tm Ben Rogers. How do you do? And 
you? These are the three small Whitecliffs. 

John. 

Pointing to each as he names her. 
Ellen, Sallie, and JMary. 

Aunt Hannah. 
Come, Jane. Come, Emma. We have callers. 

Jane and Emma enter. 

Ellen. 

Oh, John, tell them where you have been. 
Jane. 

Child ! Mr. 

Jim. 

Green. 

John. 

That's all right, Mrs. Whitecliff, Ellen and I are 
old friends. We've known each other ever so 
long — fifteen minutes, I do believe. 

[no] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Henry. 

YouVe not been to California ? 

John, 

That's just where we have been. 

Uncle Joe. 
And glad to get back, I'll bet. 

Tom. 

Glad to get back rich, sir. 



Shows gold. 



All. 

Gold! 

Jim. 

Are you short of settlers in that state? 
Jane, 

There must be many hardships in making this 
journey you have made. 

John, 

Hardships ! You have no idea how many perish 
on this trip across the continent, and they tell me 
that many, going by sea, die of sickness contracted 
in crossing the Isthmus of Panama. From the 
Rocky Mountains to the Sierras the track of the 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



emigrants is marked by skeletons of horses and 
oxen, and by barrels and boxes, household goods 
thrown away along the road. 

Tom. 

Many turn back discouraged, but over eighty 
thousand men succeeded in reaching California 
in 49. 

Jim. 

And are they all getting rich? Is there enough 
gold for all ? 

Tom. 

There may be enough for all. Some are going 
to be disappointed about finding this gold, but they 
are going to find that gold is not all there is in 
California. The real w^ealth of that land will be 
found in its soil. 

Henry. 

To John. 

What are you going to do with all of your 
money ? 

John. 

Now that Tm rich, Fm going to stop work. Fve 
made my fortune and I'm going back home to my 
wife and children. We are going to have a good 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 

time. I'll build the biggest house in town, and have 
servants all over the place. There's no use doing 
any more than necessary when you don't have to. 

Ellen. 

And have all the oranges you want. 

George Oliver Morgan enters, 

Morgan. 

Fine spot, folks ! Goin' or comin' ? 

Jim. 

Well, Morgan, where did you drop from ? 
Morgan. 

Just dropped in from New York City. 
Jim. 

I suppose you, too, have the gold fever. Are 
you on the way to the gold fields ? 

Morgan. 

Yes, yes, I have the gold fever, sure enough. 
And I'm goin' west ; but I'm taking my gold mine 
with me to make sure of it. 

Bill. 

What? 

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AMERICAN DEINIOCRACY 



Morgan. 

Look out yonder. See them men? They're 
Swedes, fresh from Sweden. They're my gold 
mine. 

Jim. 

Immigrants ? 

M organ. 

Sure as you know. Picked them up at a New 
York dock several weeks back. Am takin' 'em west 
for their health. (Laiiglis.) And my health, too. 

Jwi. 

Contract labor? 

Morgan. 

Pretty good contract for me, — much work, little 
pay. They don't know the difference. It looks big 
to them and bigger to me. Everybody's gettin' rich 
these days and I don't mean to have George OUver 
Morgan left out in the gettin'. 

Aunt Hannah. 
Well, Mr. George Oliver Morgan, IVe never be- 
fore set eyes on a labor swindler, but if you're one 
you ought to be ashamed to show your face among 
honest people. 

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Jim, 

Auntie ! Auntie ! 

Morgan. 

That's all right, Jim, them foreigners'll call me 
worse'n that 'fore long. I won't see women folks 
for a long time after I leave this clearin'. Be glad 
to hear the lady speak. 

Aunt Hannah. 
Glad to hear me! Then listen well — and think 
on it. You've been down to New York City and 
snatched up a lot of poor ignorant foreigners 
who've come to this country expecting to find con- 
ditions denied them in their own lands. They have 
sought a land of hope and promise — ^perhaps been 
lured here by wild tales of how many men get rich 
over night. They are seeking justice here or look- 
ing for opportunity, expecting freedom. 

Morgan. 

Freedom ! I should say they were ! One of my 
gang is back in New York because of his big idea 
of freedom. 

Henry, 

Tell us about him. 

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AMERICAN UE^^IOCRACY 



Morgan. 

It was funny. The poor fool thought that the 
fruit on one of them dock push carts was a free 
lunch 'specially prepared and ready for newcomers. 

Children, 
Yes, yes, go on 

M organ. 

Well, Oscar helps himself and starts on to pick 
up gold from the streets. {Laughs.) When the 
fruit man yells for the police, there is a general 
scramble, endin' in Oscar's landin' in jail and 

missin' this go-west excursion. 

Ellen. 

And nobody to help him? 

Emma. 

Poor man ! How terrible to land in a new coun- 
try and find no one to help you understand its ways, 
or aid you when you are in trouble. 

Morgan. 

Laughingly. 

Who knows? He may be better off'n that flock 
out there. 

[ 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Aunt Hannah. 
Better off? Yes, he may find help, for surely 
there are true Americans who will soon see that 
these immigrants are not so treated. And you 
laugh about that. You stand there and take that 
as a joke. Remember, Mr. George Oliver Morgan, 
that the America of to-morrow is in the makin' this 
minute, and you had better give some attention to 
the kind of stone and mortar you're usin'. 

Jim, 

Morgan, I think Auntie is right. And besides, 
won't this cheap labor bring down the wages of our 
own American labor ? Are not men like you stirring 
up labor troubles ? 

Morgan, 

Well, folks, as I said before, some go to Cali- 
fornia to get rich ; others don't. They say the West 
is fine for the health. Guess I'm not quite far 
enough west. This climate right here right now's 
much too warm for me, so I'll travel along with my 
gold mine — Good-bye. No hard feelin's. 

Morgan goes out. 

Jim. 

Good-bye, Morgan. Think it over. 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



John. 

Friends, Tve been thinking about several things 
since our friend Morgan arrived. I have decided 
not to stay back east and Hve in ease on tliis gold I 
have fortunately found. No, this gold shall work 
and so shall I. If Tom is willing, we will buy land 
on the river not far from here. This is a wonderful 
location. We'll make the railways and people come. 
We'll bring our families here. Others will follow. 
We will build a factory on the river bank. These 
trees we'll turn into furniture so much in demand 
both in the East and in the West. My gold shall 
not give my family alone happiness and comfort. 
It shall make possible the happiness and comfort of 
other families. It shall make it possible for honest 
men to work for honest wages. 

All 

That is splendid! 

Tom. 

rU stay by you, John. We'll be partners still. 

Judge. 

]\Iy boys, you have caught the vision of the new 
day. Others will catch that vision too and will 
work to advance the democracy for which men be- 
fore us have given their lives. America will con- 
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 

tinue to be what she has made herself, a nation of 
united and strong, of self-reHant freemen. This 
alien element will be assimilated. We must have 
faith in ourselves — and a vision large enough to see 
beyond sectional differences ; a heart true enough to 
respond to the heart of all humanity. We are 
building upon the foundation laid by our fore- 
fathers — building for to-morrow, the to-morrow 
when there shall be no North, no South, no East, no 
West; a to-morrow that shall dawn upon our goal 
attained, — a true democracy. 



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EPISODE IV 
Scene I 

Time. — To-day. 

Place. — A street. 

Labor and Capital enter. They rudely jostle each 
other. 

Capital. 

I wish you would learn your place. 

Labor. 

Who are you that you should tell me where it is? 
Capital. 

Who am I? I am your benefactor, your em- 
ployer, and your master. You are dependent upon 
me for your existence. 

Labor. 

With Strike's help, I can make you beg for yours. 

Capital. 

Your weapon shoots both ways. It's you, your 
wife, your children who will starve, and then you 
will come, and cringe, and beg, and Til laugh in 
vour face. 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 

Labor. 

Well, Capital, I guess we have a few matters to 
settle, but the sooner we do it, the better for us and 
for the Public, who are now in terror of us both. 

Capital, 

You and your friend Bolshevism are continually 
making trouble for me. Take my advice, Labor, 
drop that friend of yours. 

Labor, 

Your friend, Greed, is a menace to my rights. 
Capital. 

See here, Labor. I'll admit I have befriended 
this Greed a little too much. It would be easier to 
get along in this world, if we were not so hostile to 
each other. Now, Justice, who has always been on 
my side 

Labor, 

We both claim her. Suppose we give her a 
chance to speak for herself 

Capital, 

My hand upon it, Labor. Justice shall meet us 
this very night in the presence of the Public, and 
we shall abide by her decision. 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Labor, 

Let us call old and young, and rich, and poor — 
all who have suffered in our strife. 

Capital. 

We'll write a proclamation now and here and tack 
it to this post. 

Together they prepare a poster and having 
pinned it to the post, shake hands and 
withdrazv. Enter Bolshevism, Strike, 
Greed and Monopoly. They first read 
the poster. 

Bolshevism. 

Labor will associate with Capital. Ha! ha! He 
will TO to a meeting and settle so peacefully with- 
out any bloodshed. It shall not be. 

Strike. 

\\(t must not let Labor go to Capital's party. 
Justice to rule ! Labor is a fool ! Become friends 
with Capital and lose all authority to strike ! 
Never! Not while I live and move and have my 
being. 

Struts tip and down the stage. 
Greed. 

And Capital so earnestly desires to associate with 
Labor. To think that Capital has deceived me so, 
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



is enough to make my blood boil. He was so like 
me that one would think we were twins. My very 
thoughts were his, and now he has turned traitor ! 
Monopoly. 

I have it! Let them have their gathering of 
peace — oh, yes ! But we'll be there and seize this 
Justice — we'll monopolize her! 



Scene II 

Enter a group of poor persons, shawls over their 
heads, and empty hods and baskets in their 
hands. 

First Poor Man, 
It reads, " To meet Justice ! 

Second Poor Man. 
The forerunner of another strike, no doubt ! 

Third Poor Man. 
Look at my empty hod; the children, too, are 
hungry. 

Fourth Poor Man. 
It has ever been thus; we are squeezed to death 
between Labor and Capital. 

They nudge each other and stare as a 
group of richly dressed men and women 
come upon the stage. 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



First Rich Man. 
What is going to happen to-night? 

Second Rich Man. 
How do I know? My chauffeur ran me into 
that proclamation. I left him mending a damaged 
car, and I am here to see the fun. 

Third Rich Man, 
Don't speak so lightly of the occasion; this com- 
ing together of Labor and Capital is the best thing 
that has happened in a long time. 

Four til Rich Man. 
You might suppose that the millions we have 
spent for libraries and better tenements would have 
ended the bitter strife between Labor and Capital 
long ago. 

Third Rich Man. 
I, for one, shall welcome a Justice that recog- 
nizes better than Labor the extent of our efforts. 

The Rich Men withdraw to a distance 
from the Poor Men, and talk among 
themselves. Two or three Children 
come running upon the stage. 
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



First Child. 
Timidly addressing the group of Poor Men. 
Can we play tag in here ? 

Second Child. 
Dragging First Child along. 
Oh, I'm too tired to play. I had to work nine 
hours to-day 

Third Child. 
If my dad gets a job, I can go to school. I don't 
know anything. 

Fourth Child. 
No school for me ! I'm going to the park to see 
the animals. Say, what are we here for? 

Fifth Child. 

Sh! don't be making a row or the cop will get 
you. There's the man now who makes us work. 
Hurry! let's hide behind them swells. 

Industry enters. He is represented by a 
man in working clothes with tools of 
his trade. He addresses the Poor. 

Industry. 

What's all this nonsense between Labor and Cap- 
ital? I couldn't have come to-night except for a 
[ ] 



AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



strike in my factory — and time on my hands. 

Hello ! What are my children doing over there ? 

Takes a stride in their direction, but every- 
body's attention is diverted by the en- 
trance of a Soldier and a Sailor, fol- 
lowed by three of the professions — a 
Minister, a Teaclier, and a Lawyer. 
The people wave and the Soldier and 
Sailor salute. The three of the pro- 
fessions seem to be holding a contro- 
versy. 

Lawyer. 

Let arbitration settle this dispute between Labor 
and Capital. Justice is always found in law. 

Teacher. 

I believe that education of heart, of body, and of 
mind, can make public opinion the power for the 
right that moves the world. 

Minister. 

Add the grace of God, and I will say "Amen " 
to that. 

Enter a V eiled Figure, Democracy, in dis- 
guise in black, who threads her quiet 
way from group to group. Whispered 
questions speak the curiosity. The buzz 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



of voices is resumed. Labor and Cap- 
ital appear. 

The Crowd. 

Let us see Justice. Show us Justice. Where is 
she? 

Labor. 

Fear no bombs. We have come to follow the 
dictates of Justice. I have denounced Bolshevism 
and Strike. 

Capital. 

Well, my good friends, we have just overheard a 
little of your conversation. We want to assure you 
that this meeting is no trick. Labor and I see that 
we have been wronging not only ourselves but you 
also. So we called this meeting to try to settle the 
difficulties, to settle our problems before all of you. 

Applause. Justice enters, slowly, dressed 
in a simple flowing robe with the design 
of a sword in the middle, reaching from 
neck to floor. 

Crowd. 
Peace, give us peace ! 

Justice takes her place on a slight elevation 
betzveen Labor and Capital She seems 
about to speak. From the sides come 
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Bolshevism, Strike, Greed, and Monop- 
oly. Greed and Monopoly steal toward 
Justice, while Bolshevism and Strike try 
to work havoc in the crowd. 

Monopoly. 
Seize Justice. Bind her fast! 

Bolshevism, 
Kill, slay, burn, destroy ! 

Strike. 
I can butt like a goat. 

The Soldier, the Sailor rush upon BoU 
shevism, hut she eludes them to he con- 
fronted by the figure in hlack. Strike 
is caught between Labor and Law. 
Greed and Monopoly are laid low by 
Capital. 

Democracy. 
Throwing aside her black robe. 
Stay! I am the spirit of the people. I am of 
the people and for the people. I came with your 
forefathers, three hundred years ago ; I have grown 
with your strength ; I have lived in your institu- 
tions; I stand with Law and Justice for your 
future. 

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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 



Crowd. 
Peace, give us peace ! 

Justice, 

No peace until these offenders have been dealt 
with. Oh, Liberty, what crimes have been com- 
mitted in your name. {Pointing to Bolshevism and 
Strike.) Those two shall be under the tutelage of 
Education and Democracy, until Democracy thinks 
that they are able to be worthy citizens of this great 
Republic. As for Greed and Monopoly, let them 
die. 

Greed. 

Sitting up straight and interrupting. 
I'm trying hard, but I can't die while I am in the 
hearts of men and women. 

Monopoly, 

Faintly. 
I can't let go till Greed dies. 

Justice. 

Men and women of the Public, banish from your 
hearts this Greed that he may die, if you would have 
the vision of that Peace for which you long. It is 
not for me to end this strife between you two. Be- 
hold its issue in the Children here. The Master 
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 

said, ''A little child shall lead." Give them their 
rights to know, to be the men and women you would 
see succeed your broken hopes, your lost ideals, 
and then the wiser Time shall be when : 

Industry shall see a larger goal. 
And Capital possess a living soul. 

The children here press toward the center 
of the stage, gather about Justice and 
sing a song. 

CHILDREN'S SONG 

Time: ''Tramp, Tramp, Tramp/' 
In the public hall, we stand, 

Waiting, Justice, now for you, 
Who shall change the hearts of men not far away. 

For the tears they fill our eyes, 
Spite of all that we can do, 

Though we try to cheer each other, and be gay. 

Chorus. 

Work, work, work. 

We're always working, 
Never playing any more, 

For beneath the factory roof. 
We must toil and labor hard. 

From all joy and pleasure we are barred. 
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY 

So we'll face the future time, 
While we're waiting for the day, 

That shall come to give us justice, evermore, 
When our tear-stained eyes grow bright, 

And our burdened hearts grow gay, 
As has happened ne'er to us before. 



Labor, 

See here ! Industry, let the children have more 
time to play. 

Capital. 

I will put my hand deep into my pocket to pro- 
vide the children with teachers. Come, rich and 
poor, help me. 

All 

Let us live for the children. 

Liberty enters. 

Liberty. 

I am God's Liberty — swift to His aim ; 

I am the breath of America, born in her name. 

I am the flame of her torch 

Through the battle's scorch ; 

I leap with her might 

To the cause that is right, 

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AJilERICAN DEMOCRACY 



And trained in your hearts to make strife cease, 
Behold, some day I shall be your Peace ! 

Star Spangled Banner sung first by the 
group on the stage, and, when they 
cease, picked up and carried by the 
Conuminity Chorus. 



[ 132] 



